Protector



May 25, 1943. c. M. o'BoYLE Rf22325 PROTECTOR Original Filed Oct. v6,1934 v"\\\ v v INVENTOR @Zar/es M. oyle BY F ATTORNEYS.

Ressued May 25, 1943 PROTECTOR Charles M. OiBcylc, Wilmington, Del.

Original No. 2,091,330, dated August 31, 1937, Se-

rialNo. 747,122, October 6, 1934. Application for reissue. May 13, 1938,Serial No. 207,849

(Cl. lim-1) 4 Claims.

This invention relates to protectors and particularly to means forprotecting the riding bands of shells or projectiles.

Such bands are formed of relatively soft metal, such as copper, and inshipment or handling are easily damaged and become unserviceable.Various devices have been proposed` for protecting the rifiing bands butthese proposedv constructions have not been entirely satisfactory due tovarious causes. For example, protectors formed of fabric or rope expandwhen subjected to moisture or rain and are thus loosened.

A device of this character to be satisfactory must be so designed as toeffectively protect and prevent injury or damage to the rifiing band andalso must -be so constructed. that it can be readily and quicklyremoved.

This invention has for its salient object to provide an eflicientprotector for rifiing bands that is simple in construction, economicalto manufacture and can be easily and quickly applied and removed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a protector so constructedand so secured that it will be firmly held in place and will not beshifted or displaced during transportation or handling of theprojectiles.

The fabric and rope devices of. the prior art heretofore referred to arenot pre-formed as articles of manufacture but consist onlyY of strips offabric and lengths or coils of rope which exist previously as such andnot in the nal. form of a protector adapted for instant and accurateap.- plication to a projectile and to the rifiing band thereof,sometimes also known asa rotating band. In fact and in practice suchmaterial as -canvas and rope must be improvised on each occasion to tindividual characteristics and Ipeculiar conformations of the particulartype of rifiing or rotating band to be dealt with. The improvisation isin the hands of individuals at the time charged with the duty ofwrapping such fabric or rope about the rifiing or rotating lbands. Theresult is therefore haphazard and random and depends upon the personalequation.

It is the purpose. of the present invention to prevent the possibilityof mutilation and destruction of the rifiing or rotating bands'byeliminating casual application to the bands of initially non-conformingprotectors that are applied often by inexperienced hands, and to thisend the invention contemplates the provision of a structurallypre-formed band supplied initially as an article of manufacturepossessing an inner surface which conforms to the external contour oflthe gas cheek grooves and projections on a rifiing or rotating band,which may be applied readily and quickly by the uninitiated andwhichpossesses the property and characteristic of resisting strong forcesthat would'V tend to dislodge it in an axial direction, and at the sametime providing adequate and complete protection to the rifiing orrotating band, andf in. particular interposing a necessary protectivematerial to avoidY the projections of the, rifiing or rotating bandbeing mashed down or distorted byy blowsincident to the Vfalling of theprojectile or from any other Further objects of the invention willappear from the following specification taken. in connection with thedrawing which forms a part of this application, and in which n Fig. 1 isa fragmentary view showing a portion of a shell and showing the riflingband and protector in section;

Fig. 2 is a sectionalelevation takenv at right angles to Fig. land-substantially online 2`2`ofy Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional elevation of a `portion of a shell, therifiing band and protector showing a slightly modified form ofconstruction;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectionalelevation taken. at right angles toFig. 3kr through one. of the peripheral grooves in theA protector andthesecuring means disposed therein;

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4 but showing the ends of theprotecting strip lbeveled or tapered and overlapping;

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 3 .but showing the securing means asconsisting. of a band square in section instead of round;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating a furthermodification of the construction;

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 1 ibut showing a wire secured to oneedge of the protector and extending therebeneath for severing. theprotector;

Fig. 9 is a plan view taken at right angles to Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. '7 but showing a differentconfiguration of rifiing band and pro,- tector adapted for usetherewith;

Fig. 11 is a view similar t0 Fig. 10 but showing a further modificationof the rifiing band and protector;

Fig. 12 is a View similar to Fig. l1 showingY a modified for-m ofprotector andsecuring means Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation showing apro.- tector and another form of means,V for securing 5g the protectorin position; and

Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation taken at right angles to Fig. 13.

The invention briefly4 described consists of a protector adapted for usein protecting the riding band of a projectile or shell and having itsinner surface conforming in shape to the outer surface of the ridingband. For instance, riding bands arecommonly provi-ded with annularprojecting portions and recesses or grooves serving as gas checks andthe inner surface of the protector is provided with an inwardlyextending portion adapted to t into the annular groove and to receivethe annular projecting portion.

The protector may be and is preferably formed of elastic material, suchas rubber, and may consist of an annular band arranged to iit over therifling band or may consist of a strip arranged to encircle and besecured around the riding band. The securing means, such as straps orannular elastic bands, extends around the protector and is preferablyseated in annular grooves to such an extent that the bands will not bedisplaced during the transportation or handling of the projectile. Inone form of the invention severing means is provided in the form of awire extending -beneath the protector and secured theretor adjacent oneedge thereof.

Further detailsv of the invention will appear from the followingdescription.

i In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1and 2 there is shown a shell or projectile having a riding band 2| ofcopper or like metal. The riding band has formed in Fig. 3, but withspaced grooves of substanin its outer periphery an annular gas checkgroove 22 and an annular projection 23. The b'and also has a pluralityof annular grooves 24 which serve as gas checks.

During transportation or shipment of shells the rifling bands aredamaged, often to suchan extent as to render them unserviceable. Inorder to protect the riding bands there is provided an annular band 25which may be formed of any` suitable material, such as pulp fiber ortextile material, but is preferably formed of elastic material, such asrubber.

The protector 25 has an inwardly projecting rib 3U conforming in shapeto the gas check groove 22 and also has inwardly extending annular ribs3| arrangedy to seat in the annular grooves 24 in the rfling band. Theedges of the protector 25 are preferably extended over the'edges of theriding band 2| and seat on the outer surface of the shell.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the protectorconsists of an annular elastic `band which is stretched to extend overthe riding band and upon release tightly grips the riding band and issecurely held thereon. The inwardly projecting ribs which are seated inthe annular or peripheral grooves of the riding band preventlongitudinal displacement of the protector.

In the form of the invention illustrated inFigs. 3 and 4 the riding band2| is substantially the same in shape and configuration as that shown inFigs. 1 and 2. This statement also applies to the inner surface of theprotector 35. The outer surface of the protector has formed thereinannular recesses or grooves 36 and 31 which receive annular elasticbands or securing means 38.r The securing means or bands 38 areprotected by the outwardly-projecting ribs 39 and 40 which extendoutwardlyy at the edges of the grooves 3S- and 3'1. Thus the securingmeans or bands 38 are insured against accidental displacement during'tially rectangular cross-section, with retaining bands 39 of similarshape in them.

Fig. 7 shows another modification of a protector for the riding band 2|.The protector 45 is similar to that shown in Figs. 3 and 6, but isprovided with annular dat grooves 46, 4l, and 48 which receive flatstraps or bands 49, the bands being disposed between the annularprojecting ribs 50 which extend outwardly at the edges 0f the grooves.

Figs. 8 and 9 show the saine form of protector as that illustrated inFig. l, but in addition thereto show a wire 5| which is secured in anysuitable manner, as shown at 52, to the protector at one edge thereofand extends across the riding band within the protector beneath themajor portion of the thickness of the protector, as shown in Fig. 8. Atits free end the wire has formed thereon or secured thereto a loop orring 53. When the proL tector is to be removed an upward pull on thering will cause the wire to sever the protector.

Fig. 1f) shows another type of riding band 55 and a protector 55encircling the bandancl secured in position by dat straps or bands 51.This construction is similar to that illustrated in Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 shows still another type of riding band.

in which two bands 53 and 59 are used. The protector 6e has an inwardlyextending annular rib 3| arranged to dt between the bands 58 and 55 andalso has inwardly extending annular danges or ribs E2 and 63 at theedges thereof arranged to extend over the outer edges of the ridingbands and to seat against the periphery of the shell. The protector 50,shown in Fig. 1l,

may be formed as an elastic band or may con` sist of a strip encirclingthe riding bands. In the latter case the protector is extended, as shownin Fig. 12, at its lateral edges to form grooves 64 which receiveannular straps or bands 65. A band 6E encirclesthe central portion ofthe protector being disposed in an annular groove 6l.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 13 and 14 there isillustrated a protector l0 having embedded therein wires 1|. Theprotector 'le is formed as a strip and when used is wrapped around theriding band and the ends of the wires 7| are twisted together, as shownat 12 in Fig. 13. It will be understood that the protector 'IU shown inFigs. 13 and 14 may have the form or configuration of the protectorsillustrated in the preceding dgures.

In Fig. ll definite ribs 62 and 63 are formed upon the side edges of theprotector band at the margins thereof. These internal ribs 62 and 63have internal walls which lie dat against the cylindrical surface of theprojectile beyond the riding or rotating bands. These internal ribs 62and 53 have also walls that aregenerally radial of the projectile andwhich dt closely 'against the sidewalls of the riding or rotatingbands.

'InFign 12 large marginal areas of theprotector band lie in contact withthe ycylindrical surface of the projectile and are held thereagainst bythe securing means 65. These overlapping or extended side portions ofthe protector also have Walls which fit against the side edges of therifling or rotating bands.

In Fig. 3 the overlapping or extended edges of the protector band areindicated at 4l, and such edges have Walls which lie flush against thecylindrical surface of the projectile and other walls at substantiallyright angles thereto which abut against the side edges of the riiiing orrotating band 2 l In all of the other figures, including Fig. l, asimilar construction is shown. In other words the protector hand iswider than the rifling or rotating band of the projectile. The protectorband is so much wider relative to the riing or rota-ting band that itpossesses ample marginal or edge portions extending at both sides beyondthe rifling band whereby both marginal edges may lap over against theradial edge walls of the rifling band and down upon the cylindricalsurface ci the projectile 2i). t will be noted that means are providedfor centering the improved protector band on the rifling band wherebydue portions of the marginal parts will extend beyond both edges of theriding band. This centering means involves in Fig. 1 the internalprojections 3| on the band which interfit or mesh with the gas checkgrooves of the rilling band, or the inwardly projecting rib on theprotector band which extends into the undercut gas check groove 22 lyingpartially beneath the annular projection of the ri'fling band, or eitherof these agencies. The internal projections 3l are made to ratheraccurately lit the gas check grooves 2d. In a similar Y manner theinternal rib 3B of the protector band is made of a size and shape toconform rather accurately to the conformation of gas check groove 22.Thus when the improved protector is in place, and it may he accuratelyand quickly put in place because of the interntting relation of itsinternal projections with the grooves of the rif-ling band, suchimpro-ved protector is centered with relation to the riiiing band it isintended to protect; and in such position denite and Predeterminedwidthsof marginal portions of the improved protector band extend beyond theside edges of the rifling band in opposite axial directions. Theseuniform marginal portions may thus be calculated to fulll the functionsdesired of them, namely, to encompass the radial side edges of therirling band and to hug substantial areas of the cylindrical externalwall of the projectile at each side of the rifling band. As shown mostclearly in Fig. 3, and which have been described as generally radialwith respect to the projectile, although they are at a slight 'angle tothe true radial plane, form with the cylindrical surface of theprojectile angled corners which run all around the projectile and arerather diiiicult to iill with any material of which protectors areordinarily made, for instance with fabric or rope, even supposingcareful attention of experienced hands is used to wind the fabric orrope around the projectile and band. The importance of filling theseannular angled spaces lies in the desirability of providing withinitself the resistance to casual axial displacement after the protectorband has once been put in place. For a protector band not havinginteriitting or intermeshing parts with the gas check grooves of theriiling band, the importance of preventing axial creeping of theprotector is not nearly so great. Oi course applcants intertting andconforming interior construction of the side edge walls of the rilingband 2|,

plemental contours of the rifling band to resist axial movement of theprotector with reference to the rifling band. Thus the internalconstruction cooperates with the marginal overlapping construction ofthe protector band to avoid this creeping or axial displacement. Inaddition the quantities or mass of material presented bythe marginalportions afford protection for the edges of the rotating band.

In addition, it is to be understood that the marginal extended portionsare under tension and compression, such characteristics being eitherinherent in the elastic material, as in the case of Fig. 1, or producedby the constrictive action of the tie-Wires 33, 38, QB etc. as in thecase of Figures 3, 6, '7 etc. t

Viewing Figure 3 and particularly the right hand portion of thisfigurait will be noted that the recess. or groove 31 is so located onthe protector band 35 that it substantially surrounds the rifling hand2| at one end portion thereof with the rib El), which defines one sideof the groove 31', surrounding the radial edge of the rifling band 2 Iand a portion at least of the overlapping edge lil of the protectorband. When the annular securing means 38 is constricted it will ofcourse compress the included material of the protector band 35 at thesame time drawing radially inward the ribs 39 and 4G. This drawing in ofrib 40 will cause the rio and the included material to exert compressivestrains on the overlapping edge dl requiring this edge to flatten outupon the cylindrical surface of the projectile 20. In so flattening outit will tend to spread in opposite axial directions on the cylindricalsurface of projectile 2G. In moving in an axial direction to the leftthe overlapped edge di will move up against the adjacent radial edge ofthe rifling band 2i and tend to hug the same tightly thus resisting anytendency o the protector band 25 to creep accidentally in an axialdirection on the projectile 20.

The same action will he had at the left hand side of Figure 3 wherebythe annular securing means 38 conjointly with the outer ribs 40, due tothe relative positions of these parts upon the protector band 35 andwith reference to the end portions oi the rifiing band 2l, willcontribute to produce strong gripping edges il whichlwill oppose anylongitudinal motion of the protector band 35 with reference to therifling band 2 I- Additionally the inner ribs 39 will also be drawnradially inward when the securing means 38 is 'l eonstricted thusexerting compressive strains upon the included material of the protectorband 3i, all of which tends to bind the protector band 35 more tightlyagainst the riling band 2l. Therefore the outer ribs 4E! form side Wallsfor the grooves 3'! to hold the annular securing means 38 inplace; theribs 4o also form added material and compressed material at the extremeend portions of the protector hand where the device is most apt toreceive knocks and jars; and the outer ribs :t0 also tend to flattendown the overlapped edges Si on the cylindrical surface of theprojectile.

In addition the constrictive pressure action of wire 33 will have anaxial or diagonal component causing the nexible or elastic material ofthe protector within it to move or now along in a substantial axialdirection of the projectile, This is important because of the relativeposition of groove 36 with reference to rib 30 in that this rib extendsoff at an angle to the right, as shown in protector band will itselfcooperate with the com- Fig. 3. drive the rib into the recess or groove22. The improved protector will therefore interpose a layer ofprotective material between a distorting force exteriorly of the annularprojection 23 and such projection 23, and it will also oppose such forcedistorting the projection 23 by an interior cushion of protectivematerial beneath said projection 23.

Similar conditions obtain with reference to Figs. 6 and '7.

In Figs. l and 12 there is no undercut gas check groove, such as at 22in Fig. 1, but the component action of the securing means will cause thehorizontal spreading out of the material of the protector to movedirectly against the edge radial walls of the riding bands.

In Fig. l1, while no securing means is shown, the material will be ofrubber or some other material possessing inherent resiliency causing thesame to hug or automatically constrict about the projectile and itsrifling band.

Where the word band is used in the claims, it will be understood that itrefers to the protector band as described in reference to Fig. l or tothe strip, whose ends are shown as abutting at 42 in Fig. 4.

From the foregoing description it will be clear that a simple, practicaland inexpensive riing band protector has been designed and that theprotector will effectively protect the outer surface of the riding bandand can be easily and quickly applied or removed.

Although certain specific embodiments of the invention have beenparticularly shown and described, it will be understood that theinvention is capable of use with other devices than riing bands and iscapable of modification and that changes in the construction and in thearrangement of the various cooperating parts may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention, as expressed in thefollowing claims.

What I claim is:

1. A protector for riing bands comprising a strip arranged to encirclethe 4band and having an inwardly extending rib arranged to fit in anexternal annular groove in the rifling band and having flat groovesformed in its outer surface, and iiat securing means arranged to seat insaid flat grooves.

2. A protector for riding bands comprising an annular strip of materialhaving its inner surface provided with ribs and grooves arranged to litcorresponding grooves and ribs on the periphery of the rifling band,said protector llaving external grooves, and ribs at the outer edges ofthe external grooves, and securing means seated in the external grooves,said ribs extending beyond the securing means.

3. A protector for the riiiing bands of pro- Such component action willtherefore jectiles in which the rifling band projects radially outwardfrom the cylindrical surface of the projectile and presents radialedges, and in which said rifling band further has an irregular outersurface, said protector` comprising a protector band of a resilientmaterial, said resilient protector band having on its internal face anirregular surface as a complement of the irregular outer face of saidrifling band, said protector band having overlapping edges which extendbeyond said radial edges of the rifling band and in upon the cylindricalsurface of the lprojectile, said protector band having spaced pairs ofannular ribs outstanding therefrom and forming annular recesses, saidannular recesses occurring at substantially the end portions of saidrifling band, the outer of said annular ribs extending about saidoverlapped edges, and annular contractile securing means occupying saidannular grooves and adapted on constriction to not only l radiallycompress the included material of said protector band against saidriiiing band but also to draw radially inward said outer ribs and tocause said outer ribs to compress said overlapping edges upon thecylindrical surface of the projectile and the overlapped edges to moveup against said radial edges of said rifling band.

4. A protector for the riiiing bands of projectiles in which the rifiingband' outstands from the cylindrical surface of the projectile and hassubstantial radial edges, and in which the rifling band is formed With aseries of grooves on its outer face, one such groove near an end portionof the riiiing band being undercut in a direction toward the center ofthe band, said protector comprising a protector band of resilientmaterial formed on its inner face with projections to enter the groovesin said rifling band and with an internal rib extending diagonallyinward to enter the undercut groove, said protector band havingoverlapping edges extending down upon the cylindrical surface of theprojectile and against the radial edges of said rifling band, saidprotector band having pairs of spaced annular external ribs formingannular recesses, said recesses lying about the end portions of saidriiling band, the outer ribs of each pair surrounding portions of saidoverlapping edges, and contractile securing means occupying the recessesbetween said external ribs and adapted on contraction to not onlycompress the included material of the resilient protector band but alsoto draw radially inward said pairs of external ribs vwhereby to causethe ribs to further radially

